In the US, pretty much every Sonic fan is anxiously waiting for Smash Bros. Brawl. I don't know what's going on in Europe but that's all I have right now.

Wow. Now thats what I call a tag team match! I was thinking that someone had to come in and help hold them back, didn't really expect Ash but its appropriate. I think its neat how Sonic was the one to grab Tails and keep him from doing anything, it echoes back to they're one on one grudge match in earlier issues. Theres just something very heartwarming about that scene despite Tails being mind controlled. You can tell that the friendship is there and that Sonic really does care for Tails as a brother. I've always been a big friendship fan of those two, especially since Sonic was there for Tails when he was born as seen in Sonic Super Special #9. You know he was the FORTH person to hold tails after he was born? Rambling aside I cant wait for this to get to my place, though I'm still waiting for issue 185. One thing I need to find out though is the last comment that Mogul says through Mighty on the last preview page: "But there are other chinks to your armor." what could he be planning to do? I know if I was a power hungry egotistical psychopath who wants to bring Sonic under control I'd probably start making this "hypnotic connection" start hurting his friends. Seems like something he'd do to play dirty, make his friends suffer until Sonic agrees. Hope not but I wouldn't put it past him.

I can only imagine what evil scheme Mogul has planned to get Sonic to do what he wants. My guess is, he'll somehow use Mighty, Mina, and Tails as hostages, or he'll have Mighty go and grab Sally or someone to use as a hostage so Sonic will be forced to let him and his willing henchmen out of prison.

I can only imagine what evil scheme Mogul has planned to get Sonic to do what he wants. My guess is, he'll somehow use Mighty, Mina, and Tails as hostages,
or he'll have Mighty go and grab Sally or someone to use as a hostage so Sonic will be forced to let him and his willing henchmen out of prison.

Please, more than likely Mogul won't even care for the losers and will keep them in prison making them mad at him; heck, they may even wind up helping Sonic for revenge against Mogul if he does turn against them like I think he will.

Well, Mogul ordered them to grab Sonic while he was at home. Maybe they're holding his family hostage?

He was sleeping at Freedom HQ though.

Ash saves the day. Somehow I did see that coming. He was right there scratching his head when Mina walked out. I'd expect he'd follow her to see what was up.

Why is it suddenly daylight though?

It is'nt. The moon is still out. The preview colors are always a little off.

I think it is possible that Mogul will hold Sonic's family hostage. He may try to grap Sally too, though from the previews of other issues, it looks like Sally is going to have to rescue Sonic this time.

That could be how Sally initially gets involved. Unless Mogul tries to get the other 3 of the Fearsome Foursome to break him out (and thereby causing a commotion), nobody in the city is really going to know about this until much later.

That might not be too far fetched, Mogul could have the other two of the group keep Sonic busy and get Tails to break him out. Tails already hot wired the system to let his dad out so he obviously has the knowledge that Mogul needs in order to get out so he'd be the perfect one to do it. though I think he'd leave the other villains in there, he seems like the type of villain (Mogul) who would do that.

Bummer, no one has a review for the ish? I got time tomorrow so I can go secure a copy.

EDIT: I'm putting the review here...haha

Anywho, first 3 pages have already been seen, which consists of Sonic dodging the attacks of his mind controlled friends. Ash tries to help with subduing Mina but that doesn't work out too well as she gives him a good smacking. The 3 mind controlled minions split up in different directions while Ash demands an explaination. Sonic gives him the lowdown and decides it's time to pay Mogul a visit. Ash wants in on this action since it concerns Mina (All together now...awwwww) so the duo head for the prison system.

Sonic and Ash walk in and head straight for Mogul who still has the deal on the table. Sonic doesn't care for this but Mogul explains why he sent the three off, Tails is headed high into the air, while Mina is off water dashing and Mighty is headed straight into Robotnik's city without a fight in him. Ash panics and figures Sonic can go rescue them but Sonic and Mogul both know that's not possible. Ash and Sonic decide to give into his demands...which would be returning Mogul to god like status...ahhh well. Nicole shows up, asking what's up, only for Sonic to demand where the emerald is...so you can figure that's where they're headed.

Sonic and Ash make a beeline for Castle Acorn and despite Nicole's best efforts, get the eternal battery, all the while, the mind controlled trio is still headed off to parts unknown, and Mighty seems to have been spotted by Eggman's minions (Yes the Legion).

Sonic and Ash return back to Mogul despite Nicole's protests and Sonic gives the emerald back to Mogul...just as things are beginning to look bleak for the mind controlled trio. Ahhh crud...so Mogul is back in business. Nicole is pretty ticked but Ash and Sonic aren't in the mood to hear it. Mogul meanwhile is quite happy of his regained power and unleashes a powerful blast. He dismisses Nicole and then proceeds to disband the Fearsome Foursome...what??

Well it seems that Mogul has came to the conclusion that he cannot beat Sonic (?!). He argues that he has attained godhood twice, only to have Sonic to defeat him again and again. He's tired of being a cosmic punchline (?!). So he has decided to wait Sonic out, since he is immortal and Sonic...isn't. He does leave Sonic a cryptic warning saying his descendents will know no peace while Mogul is around. He releases the other jailbirds and then they leave. The last page is Sonic and Ash rejoining the other 3, who are back to normal and feeling a bit down about what just happened. Sonic assures them they'll just beat Mogul again...but that remains to be seen.

So nooooooo happy ending there, thought it's what I expected.

Side story: Why yes, it's about Knuckles! Rad Red is still feeling pretty blue about the past events (Who can blame him?). He is flying over Albion observing the recovery process and the man leading the charge, Remmington (Who looks to be quite the capable leader, though who would have doubted THAT?). Knux departs via a warp ring, though he may have been noticed by Lara Le and her son.

Knuckles then pays a visit to General Von Stryker, who has taken back control and has began to help rebuild the dingo army. Knuckles drops the news that he was Enerjak and he was the one who did this all to them. Stryker is obviously a bit stunned though he calls his son a traitor and warns Knux that his army will return soon enough. Knux leaves the teary eyed Stryker...

Knux then decides to spy on his friends, who are busy building a bridge to the mini emerald throne. He kind of hopes they'll forsake the island but Rogue drops by and asks Knux the same question. Knux doesn't want to hear it of course and wanks about how if he had remained on the island, things would have been for the best. Rogue points out that things still could have been worse and he tells her that she doesn't know a thing. Ahhh angry Knux is back again! She points out the Brotherhood's failures in protecting the island (Who isn't these days) and Knux can offer a counterpunch. Owned. She suggests that he not give up the fight on the ground and that since he has his warp ring, he keep an eye on both fronts.

Knux gives in (Wuss!) and decides to rejoin his friends and thanks Rogue for getting his head on straight...though Rogue comments on how gulliable Knux is and how she has him completely wrapped around her finger...uh-oh

Dude, that sounds really disappointing. I mean Mogul sends the three off, gets what he wants and releases the mind control, they all get back together and thats it? Thats just..wow, anyone else think there should have been more to it then that? That wasn't conflict at all. I mean we dont even get to see what happened to each of the three, they just show up later and they're not under control anymore? What is with this? The fight didn't even last?

Yes after Mogul releases his control...they somehow end up back home...I'm going to figure Mogul brought them back as part of the deal. The fight went only for the first few pages and that was that.

I like the idea of Mogul being an elephant man of his word.

I mean we dont even get to see what happened to each of the three, they just show up later and they're not under control anymore? What is with this? The fight didn't even last?

No, you see that they've basically snapped out of it and do a 180 to head back (complete with smashed Legion saucers in Mighty's case).

The point wasn't to have them fight; it was manipulation to get Mogul back into power. Once that happened he kept his word and freed the others - which is a nice change from the usual predictable villain doublecross. The conflict comes down to Sonic and Ash actually getting the emerald while Nicole's trying to stop them - they didn't have time to explain the situation because three lives were in danger and even if they had, others might not have been so ready to free a bunch of baddies and restore Mogul to power and any hesitation could make it too late to save the others.

Gee, it's fun making judgments on something we haven't actually read, isn't it?

A little harsh there Lea?

I think the best part of this short arc is that Ash comes off as far more likable now. Instead of being an annoyance, he seems like a far more decent fellow now.

"A little harsh" covers bashing something based solely on hearsay. It's like complaining about the food from a restaurant you've never visited.

Well I probably didn't explain it good enough in my review.

Mogul's warning to Sonic does seem chilling. Great, not only does it look like Sonic will have to deal with Mogul for long while(maybe his whole life), but his family will as well.

I'm sorry, but you would think sonic having a chaos emerald would mean he could break the mind control or be fast enough to save all three. They're the highest ranking deus ex in the sonic world ever since the ancient walkers kicked it

And if Ian had done that don't you think that everyone would be complaining about just how much of an incredibly dumb deus ex machina that was? And then where would the story go? The whole point was NOT to do that, guitarplooz.

The story called for Sonic to do what he has always done for better or worse, think fast and on his feet without much ramification at all to the consequences following. Sonic was very concerned with the NOW of saving the lives of his friends immediately because he couldn't wait or waffle. As a result - depending on how Ian plays his cards on this - Sonic may have made a very huge error, especially now that one of his biggest enemies has finally realized that his best plan of attack is simply to do nothing at all.

I think this ending works out a lot better, makes a bit more sense in the context of the bigger picture, and provides an excellent setup for future stories. For example - what is Sonic going to do when and if he ever needs to turn super? He can't just pull out his own flagship deus ex machina whenever the story calls for it - now that there are only 7 in continuity, he's going to have to go through Mogul one way or another to get the grey emerald, which in the grand scheme of things plays out exactly how Mogul wants it. Sooner or later, deals are going to have to be made with the devil. Plenty of story potential indeed.

One of the reasons I'm chiming in with Lea is because it just plain makes sense. Ever since his defeat in Sonic 56, Mammoth Mogul has just been kind of "there" in most of the writing. Until Ian came along and started using him regularly, no one on staff really knew what else to do with him besides depowering him and using him as an excuse to banty about big words. I like that he is slowly developing a point and personal distinction amongst Sonic villains again as well as being a credible threat once more. Granted, I wish that this didn't happen at the exception of Ixis Naugus - the only fully magical villain the series has - but I'm pretty sure that when Ian gets done defining Mogul as he has with Eggman, he'll rectify that bit eventually. but until then I'm of the opinion that this was a pretty masterful stroke of authorship.

Sooner or later, deals are going to have to be made with the devil. Plenty of story potential indeed.

But Sonic isn't even married yet! And if he does do such a thing then so many years of the comic's continuity will be completely erased, and then where will we be??? D:

Well actually, we'll probably have a good excuse to be rid of a whole number of unneccesary characters plus we could also quietly forget several utterly rubbish storylines! It's not as bad a proposal as you might think...

Sooner or later, deals are going to have to be made with the devil. Plenty of story potential indeed.

But Sonic isn't even married yet! And if he does do such a thing then so many years of the comic's continuity will be completely erased, and then where will we be??? D:

Well actually, we'll probably have a good excuse to be rid of a whole number of unneccesary characters plus we could also quietly forget several utterly rubbish storylines! It's not as bad a proposal as you might think...

at first i was like

but then, I

I agree, there is a character I would like to see Sonic marry eventually, and if we could forget some bad storylines as a result that would be even better. That is all I will say about that, so as not to break the relationship rule. Also, I think I see WB's point, at least Ian is making an effort to try to make Mogul a credible villain.

I agree, there is a character I would like to see Sonic marry eventually, and if we could forget some bad storylines as a result that would be even better. That is all I will say about that, so as not to break the relationship rule. Also, I think I see WB's point, at least Ian is making an effort to try to make Mogul a credible villain.

ok you totally didn't get the joke, but whatever it was pretty subtle.

Well, that's a new one: the big bad guy just decides to wait until the hero dies or is too old to mess with him. Still, it is smart, though Mogul really should consider that Sonic's descendants could end up becoming even more powerful than the Blue Blur himself, so he's basically going to be subjecting himself to more trouble. Even if they're powerless-which various possible futures indicate contrary to-there are still Knuckles' kids, Tails' kids, Chaotix kids, Freedom Fighter kids, and even Shadow's kids to worry about (and possibly Shadow himself). Even if all of them aren't a threat, there will always be some new hero showing up to deal with him, like Silver the Hedgehog or someone. For that matter, he won't be able to implement his plan if he can't hide away somewhere where none of his various enemies will be able to find him, which should be just about impossible. Also, I find it rather sad that all the hype of Tails, Mina, and Mighty being brainwashed last issue led to pretty much nothing-at this point, at least, since it'll probably come back to bite everyone in the butt later.

Can't say I'm happy that it was Rouge who broke Knuckles out of his funk and not Julie-Su, but at least she's doing something to contribute. Now someone just needs to snap Rad Red out of thinking she's an honest person so he can give her a one way trip to Anti-Mobius, where she'll probably fit in better, courtesy of his fist!

No, Rouge is too much of a good person, despite her questionable aspects, to live on Anti-Mobius. Besides, we have Anti-Sonic, and soon to be Anti-Rotor, in the Prime universe with their Prime counterparts; do we really need Rouge Prime on Anti-Mobius with Anti-Rouge there?

I'm completely with Dub on the Mogul issue. That juxtaposition of all of Sonic's usual annoying backtalk and Mogul's cool, intelligent assurance that ultimately it was just a stroppy teenager mouthing off to an adult really did work for me. There was no resolution, which I find a lot more chilling than just watching Sonic save the day AGAIN.

There was a story very early on in the Fleetway continuity - issue eleven, in fact - which had Sonic lured to one side of Mobius only to reveal that Robotnik'd hidden his latest Mega-Uber-Supercalafragalisticexpialidocious-Ray of Death on the other, and say that Sonic couldn't possibly run halway 'round an entire planet in the five seconds (yes, five seconds) it'd take to activate the darned thing.

Of course, Sonic did. 'Cos Sonic's just that gee whizz goshdarned k3wl (he did the same thing in the AoStH episode Mass Transit Trouble, too - defusing three bombs at various points 'round the globe).

For me, a comic series that'd been finding its feet (this was the first issue after the whole somewhat grim reversal of Robotnik conquering the planet) pretty much jumped the shark on the spot (even if it had a reality check and improved a bit sometime later). And I doubt that anyone reading a similar outcome in 186 wouldn't have thought the same.

I liked the story: great ambiguous ending, Ash actually getting to show some character (I liked the contrasting emotional levels in him and Sonic) and plenty of plot opportunities with a few more villains loose. Nothing seminal, but it could've been a lot worse and it made a change to see something that wasn't resolved by Sonic either pounding on it repeatedly or backtalking it until he bored it to death.

Can I poke my head in and say this story wasn't huge/breath-taking/earth-shattering on purpose?

We just wrapped up "Enerjak: Reborn" - a five-month long epic that reshaped the echidna subplot and set up all sorts of stuff for the future. You cannot top that. You can try, but then the next arc will have to be even bigger still, and the whole series gets top-heavy and ridiculous.

"Mogul Rising" was a moment to catch our collective breath - reader and creatives alike. You still had your action, the suspense was more emotional than flashy, and now we can build back up to the big event of the year. I'm planning for it to be flashy.

So, Sonic has finally realized that not everything can be solved with a bunch of trash talk and a few quick moves?

There may be hope for this comic after all.

You can try, but then the next arc will have to be even bigger still, and the whole series gets top-heavy and ridiculous.

DBZ syndrom.

"Oh no! This villain is the strongest thing we've ever encountered! We're incredibly outclassed! He can vaporize buildings with a look! How can we ever top this?"

-two weeks later-

"Oh no! [insert threat] here is ten thousand times more powerful than [dead villain]! We're incredibly outclassed! He can vaporize entire planets with a thought! How can we ever top this?"

Yeah, after Enerjak, what's Mogul supposed to do? I like the "different approach" villain instead of the "zomg even bigger threat!"

Sonic 186 discussion:

From reading the 186th issiue that I got today in the mail, from what I have seen and read, it becomes apparent that Ian is setting up for something big.

What I mean is the fact that Ian has someone like Mogul win, but at the sametime, addmit that as long as Sonic and Co. are around, he will never truly win and defeat him, so instead he decides to wait him out with a message that even though he may not defeat Sonic, that in return Sonic and his children and grandkids that come from Sonic will never know peace, and that is because of Sonic and Ash getting him the chaos emerald in order to save their friends from running out of oxygen, drowning in the middle of the ocean or being captured by Eggman's Dark Egg Legion.

The one thing that I did find istresting was the fact that Nicole addmitted that with Mogul loose she can't control or fight againest that kind of power, which is examplfied by Mogul snapping his fingers to teleport her away from the detention center.

Basically, overall we have Mogul with a coslation victory, the villians being freed by Mogul and Mina, Tails and Mighty feeling awful for what they allowed Mogul to do them.

But Sonic reassures them that even though Mogul won this day, that in truth, he and the baddies he help release are the real ones running scared, and that when they meet up again, as they done in the past, they will defeat them.

Overall, not a bad story, could have been a little better, still not bad, I give 5.5/10

The Back story:

What we have here is the story we were all hoping for with a bit of twist at the end. You see out of all the characters you expect to talk some sense into Knuckles, that last one you expect is Rouge, but yep she is the one that turns him around and makes him realize that despite the fact that even if he was on the Island or not, he couldn't pedict what Finitevus was planning or pervent Eggman from possibly coming in and destorying everything in his path.

What Rouge is basically telling Rad Red, is that hiding on the island is a show of couwardice and that it would disgrace his father's sacrifice.

But since he now possess the warp ring technogly that he now wears on his wrist, that he can now keep on eye on the island and the master emerald as well as be able to contuine to help friends fight the battle againest the likes of Eggman, Finitevus and Mogul. In which Knuckles realizes that Rouge is right and goes to rejoin his friends. But as we seen at the end, there appears to be more to Rouge helping him then meets the common eye.

Overall, the back story is a nice little way to wrap what's left of the Enerjak story, for now that is. I give it a 7/10.

AVATAR WAY TOO BIG

Speaking of warp rings, what ever happened to the Guiding Star Gem that Yanar gave him; didn't that, combined with Knux's chaos powers allow him to teleport anywhere he wanted to thereby making the warp ring kind of redundant?

I believe that the Guiding Star Gem is slowly being phased out for Warp Rings which are A) more efficient in getting all the characters to different locales (not just Knuckles) and B) more classically influenced from the games and comics.

Kay, I can see that, but Ian got rid of minor things like the sword of Acorns, Sir Connery, etc. why not the Guiding Star Gem.

Cause well, people like you Razor, tend to remember them, and so instead of letting them rot in obscurity, , they gotta write them out .

I liked the issue. Also sets up Sonic having to go to the Special Zone to earn an Emerald now unless he wants to take on Mogul-who knows now never to hit Sonic with Chaos energy again.

Question, does Sonic Billionth ring still have power? Or is that it, no more rings? Just kinda hoping that one always had power. Not a full duez ex, but its something of a backup...

And wait Sam, I swore Sonic BARELY got to the last bomb in AoSth and threw it in the ocean-he didnt even disarm it, he just threw it. :O Maybe my memory falls flat.

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so instead of letting them rot in obscurity, , they gotta write them out

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Question, does Sonic Billionth ring

Funny how you mentioned his one billionth ring.
And besides, the GSG was recently last used in the story where Sonic, Tails, Knuckles, and Merlin went to find Tails' parents. So it's still around.

I also agree with Dub. As much as an alliance was expected with a brainwashed Mighty, Mina, and Tails; the story was completely shifted between a confrontation with Mogul and Sonic. Though I have to admit, it just came out of the blue, which was a little weird for my taste.

Yeah, I forgot about that, but still why have Knuckles use a WR when they just used the GSG? Now it makes Knux's WR seem even more redundant.

He might be able to combine them to incrase it's intensity and power?

The Guiding Star Gem does have a few more uses than warping to places, doesn't it?

I think Yanar said it did, but I can't remember what if any other uses it has. As a matter of fact come to think of it, I actually think the GSG guides you to whoever your searching for so I guess the WR ain't that redundant after all. Knux might even be able to use the GSG and WR to find the Brotherhood, if any of them is alive that is.

I think Yanar said it did, but I can't remember what if any other uses it has. As a matter of fact come to think of it, I actually think the GSG guides you to whoever your searching for so I guess the WR ain't that redundant after all. Knux might even be able to use the GSG and WR to find the Brotherhood, if any of them is alive that is.

knowing ian they are probably dead. but yeah you're probably right.

If Ian has to do anything to the Brotherhood, I hope he at least has it the way that M25YL has it with Spectre and Sojourner being alive and Sabre being a vegetable, though I rather have Sabre in good health as well. However, I really, really, really want all the Brotherhood to be alive and well, or at least barely standing but breathing.

2 Trillion bonus points to Ian for making a story-relevent visual allusion to the cover of Sonic 3. Now Knuckles is reborn.

Anyway, this issue was awesome. I didn't think I was going to like this story much, since I'm pretty unfond of Mammoth Mogul and I wanted him to stay inside that chaos emerald Titan Tails trapped him in for all eternity. The first story was so-so, but what it lead to was well worth the wait. This is the first time in the run of the comics where I actually feel like Mammoth Mogul is a super genius. Any run of the mill villian can get a sudden dose of Mega Power and start destroying universes; that's not terribly original for a character. But in this Mogul logically thought out a no-win solution for Sonic. This is also the first time I feel like he acts like a diety for the first time -- he realizes he doesn't even need to fight Sonic. Also, Robotnik will probably be dead by the time Sonic's out of the picture as well, provided he doesn't become a robot again. That's about half of the major power players on Mobius right now.